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The train eased into the station and Elizabeth looked up.

She’d been so engrossed in her letter that she missed the St. Paul’s stop and needed to get off the train and backtrack.

Her mind was whirling. Had she really misjudged Mr Darcy so badly?

He seemed a man of a persuadable mind, and she had thought so almost from the beginning.

Her prejudice against him was fuelled by his superior attitude due to his “birthright,” as he called it, and cemented into place by Mr Wickham and, of course, Mr Darcy’s interference with her sister’s happiness.

She then remembered their shared crisis when Mr Bingley nearly drowned.

It was then she felt him to be a good and courageous man.

Oh, there were too many thoughts for her to sort them all out now.

She ran round to the other side of the station and got on a returning train for home.

“ Oh, Lizzy. Oh, thank God.” Jane threw her arms around Elizabeth as she entered Mrs Clarke’s rooming house. She and Lydia must have been waiting in the parlour for her. Mr Bingley stood at Jane’s side.

“ Humph. And you say I’m a lot of trouble.” Lydia stood with her arms crossed, glaring at Lizzy. Jane didn’t break her embrace but called out enough for Lydia to hear.

“ Oh, do be quiet.”

Elizabeth smiled at Bingley as Jane let her go. “Do I have you to thank for my rescue?”

“ I’m afraid not. Well, perhaps partially. Seems like one good turn deserves another.” She smiled at the reference to Bingley’s rescue in the river. “Your sister called me on the telephone, and I, in turn, called Darcy. He is the one with the level head, you know.”

“ So, it was he who went to the police station after me.”

“ Quite so. He did all the calling about that needed to be done as well. I’m afraid I have no head for such things.”

“ Did they beat you, Lizzie? Was it awful?” The concern inherent in the question didn’t match the glee in Lydia’s eyes.

“ No. They didn’t beat me, but I wouldn’t like to repeat the experience.

I’m afraid I am a disgrace… getting arrested.

” Lizzy kept an eye on Mr Bingley. She wanted to assess how much damage she had done to his affection for Jane in light of her “unsuitable” family.

After all, his friend, Mr Darcy, had a sharp eye for such things.

“ Oh, not at all, Miss Elizabeth. I quite admire you… standing up for your principles in the face of danger and all that. Well done, I say.”

That was good news. Jane’s face absolutely glowed as he spoke. At that moment, Elizabeth could hardly believe that Mr Darcy could dissuade his friend’s affections for her sister in any way.

“ Now that the excitement is over, I must be off. Caroline has arranged for me to look over an estate to let somewhere in Hertfordshire.” Bingley spoke with such a mischievous look in his eye, Elizabeth had to laugh.

“ Hertfordshire? Is it near Meryton?” Jane barely maintained her usual demure demeanour.

“ Why, I think it is. It’s a place called Netherfield.” He grinned broadly at her and raised his eyebrows in anticipation of her reaction.

She slapped him playfully on the sleeve. “Oh, you. How wonderful.”

“ We shall see. We shall see. I don’t think Caroline has made the very obvious connection yet.

She doesn’t often attend to what other people are saying.

” Retrieving his watch from his waistcoat pocket, he repeated, “I really must be off.” He took both Jane’s hands in his and then kissed one of them.

“So glad to see you safe and sound, Miss Elizabeth… Miss Lydia.” He dandily placed his bowler hat on his head and took his leave.

“ Wait until Mama and Papa hear about this.” Lydia bounded over. “Finally, I have something to write about besides work.”

Jane took her roughly by the elbow and turned her so that they were face-to-face. “You will do no such thing, Lydia Bennet. What happens to Elizabeth and me is our own business and none of yours.”

Lydia easily twisted away. “Ha. But you and Lizzy interfere in my business all the time. You act like you are my mother and father.”

“ That is because we are charged with your welfare by our mother and father. Besides…” Lizzy broke off as she noticed that one of the other tenants was making her way down the staircase, as Mrs Clarke would be starting tea soon.

“Come along. We’ll finish this discussion in our room.

I need to change before supper. I’m starving. ”

Lydia looked like she was about to speak, but then clapped her mouth shut and dutifully followed them upstairs.

There the conversation turned to George and the other young men that Lydia so obviously flirted with.

It was decided that everyone would write their own news home.

Lizzy resolved that within the week, she would have a serious talk with Lydia about her flirtatious ways, and about George Wickham especially.

Jane and Lydia retired early, and Lizzy, even though exhausted by the day’s events, couldn’t settle down to sleep.

As her sisters readied for bed, she instead retreated to the abandoned parlour to sit alone and think.

The extraordinary gesture of rescuing her from gaol and the letter she found in her bag had her mind awhirl with thoughts of Mr Darcy.

She should thank him for his efforts on her behalf, that went without saying.

His letter was so frank, yet she could feel him reaching out from it and holding her at arm’s length.

And why shouldn’t he? She made it all too clear to him what her feelings were when he burst forth with that astonishing proposal of marriage…

and in the Selfridges window of all places.

A sole lamp was burning on the small writing desk that had once been in their room.

She wondered if there might be writing paper and envelopes still in the drawers that she and Jane might have forgotten in their haste to move in a cot for Lydia.

That was it. She should write to Mr Darcy and thank him. It was the polite thing to do.

Sitting down at the desk, she indeed found what she needed.

She wouldn’t be effusive, but she would thank him politely for rescuing her from prison…

and she could do him the courtesy of telling him she believed him regarding Mr Wickham.

She would not mention her family. He would get no satisfaction from her in that respect.

Grasping the fountain pen firmly, she began.

Dear Mr Darcy, (not “my dear,” as he began)

I am compelled to write to you and thank you for your extraordinary kindness in extricating me from gaol.

I must admit that I was… (What was she? Frightened?

Terrified? Incredibly relieved that she was rescued?

She would never admit any of that, especially not to him.

She picked up the pen again.) … surprised and pleased that you put forth the effort and money to remedy my difficult situation, despite what had transpired between us. I do not know how I can ever repay you.

I also appreciate the candour of your letter.

I must tell you that I do believe your version of events regarding Mr Wickham.

He has revealed himself in many ways since our first acquaintance that aligns with your version of his history.

You may also rely on my discretion regarding what transpired between himself and your sister.

She wanted to ask him a thousand questions.

Why did he come for her? Why did he care what happened to her?

Why bother explaining himself? Did he still harbour affectionate feelings for her?

No, he made it clear that he would let that episode rest in peace.

If he wished to continue this correspondence, he could do so.

She would leave it to him. Yet, something nagged at her.

How did she feel about him now? Should she open the door a wee crack and see if he would again step through? She put pen to paper once again.

Again, thank you for your intervention on my behalf. I am most grateful. Your efforts have enabled me to fight another day.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Bennet

Suffragette

She read the letter once more. Yes, that is what she wanted to say.

She thanked him, and that should be enough.

She sealed the envelope and would ask Mr Bingley tomorrow for Mr Darcy’s address in town.

As she rose from the desk and turned off the lamp, she was suddenly overcome with weariness, as if she deliberately snuffed out the small flame of a candle that was lit within.

***

Christmas fast approached when a letter arrived from Longbourn. Her father’s handwriting addressed the envelope, and Jane encouraged Elizabeth to read it.

“ Dear Jane, Lizzy, and Lydia,

I send this letter to all three of you because the news in it affects us all. You may have heard the news already, for Charlotte might have told you, Lizzy. ”

“ Have you heard anything from Charlotte?” Jane asked Lizzy.

“ No. Our correspondence has fallen off after the summer. I just attributed that to our lives going in different directions.”

“ Oh, for goodness’s sake, Lizzy, keep reading. I’m all on tenterhooks.” Lydia sat on her cot, idly poking a piece of embroidery on which she never seemed to make any progress. Elizabeth continued reading.

“ I have bad news for all of you. Charlotte Lucas has married Mr Collins.”

Lydia screwed up her face . “Who is Mr Collins?” She stood up and peered over Elizabeth’s shoulder at the letter. “And why is that bad news?”

“ Honestly, Lydia. Don’t you remember? He was that distant cousin, the clergyman, who spent those few days with us at Henley.” Jane looked expectantly at her.

Lydia looked pensive for a moment. Then her face was all amusement. “Oh, you mean that dreary man who was looking for a wife among all us Bennets? I think it is capital news that he married Charlotte.”

“ Mama certainly doesn’t think so. He is the means in which all of us will be disinherited. Longbourn goes to him after…” Lizzy shook her head and didn’t continue.

“ Oh, no matter. You two needn’t worry. I will marry a rich man and take care of all of you.” Lydia stuck her nose in the air and resumed her seat on the cot. Then picked up The Lady magazine and began perusing the advertisements. Elizabeth sighed and continued reading.

“ This is all your fault, Lizzy. You should have been more attentive to him at the regatta. I don’t know what you said to him there, but that was the beginning of the end.

He sat with the Lucases most of the day and then, off you went to London again, spoiling everything.

I am sure he did not approve of your being employed.

Now, we will all suffer from your wilfulness. ”

Elizabeth stopped reading and flipped the page over to read the rest of the letter. Her scowl at her mother’s words melted into a smile.

“ What does it say, Lizzy?” Jane brushed gently at her arm.

“ There is a bit at the end here from Father. I’ll read it to you,” she said eventually, then began to read.

“ I know your mother is angry with you, Lizzy. I suspect that really, she is only anxious for your and your sisters’ welfare.

I will tell you the truth now, daughter.

I am very relieved that you did not encourage Mr Collins.

I found him a supercilious, insufferable bore, but if you mention this to your mother, I will deny it.

I am quite proud of you girls and your ambition.

Of course, I would never tell your mother as it would only result in an attack of nerves.

I will address this letter and post it before your mother sees it.

All my affection to you, Jane, and Lydia. Papa.”

Elizabeth handed the letter Jane, who gave her a knowing smile.

“ What does ‘supercilious’ mean?” Lydia still paged through the magazine.

“ It means acting like a snob,” Elizabeth said.

“ Oh, like that Mr Darcy person.”

Elizabeth didn’t know why, but that remark cut her to the quick. It was useless to try to explain the difference between Mr Collins and Mr Darcy to Lydia. She did want to say something, though. “So, you remember him, who you’ve only met once at Henley, but not our cousin, Mr Collins.”

Lydia looked up from her magazine for an instant and with an expression on her face that said, “Really, how can you be so stupid?” She sighed. “Of course, I remember him. He was much better looking.” With that, she went back to ladies’ fashion.